At times, to get more protein and strength you may be recommended to consume animal foods like fish and poultry. Consuming non-vegetarian food is not required and you must avoid it. A healthy balanced diet of greens, milk, curds and grains will provide you with all required nourishment. There is a close relationship between your food, head and God. Animal foods will let you develop animal traits. Some may ask, do not plants have life and will they not suffer when we cut and cook them? All plants and vegetables have life, but lack the senses, just like a patient who is given anaesthesia during an operation lacks the awareness and pain of the doctor’s cuts and stitches. However animals have senses and when we cut them, they suffer intensely. To avoid bad thoughts, do not take excessive food, or that which is earned by unrighteous means, or non-vegetarian diet or food that is not offered to God.

- Divine Discourse, 'My Dear Students', Vol 2, Ch2.